Ms. Susie is missed, but a beloved Chinese buffet lives on in Gulfport
South China is an institution in Gulfport.
The small buffet with red and yellow lanterns and tanks full of beautiful fish is the Coast’s worst-kept secret for good Chinese food at an affordable price.
No matter the day of the week, if you walk into South China for lunch, the dining room is always full. But the menu items on the small buffet never seem to run out, either.
For just $11.50 at lunch or $12.50 at dinner, guests can enjoy more than two dozen menu options, including egg drop soup, fried rice and noodles, chicken wings, egg rolls, and entrees that include chicken, beef and shrimp.
I learned about South China in 2012 when I moved back to the Coast from Hattiesburg. Since I’ve started eating there, no other Chinese buffet will do.
My favorites on the buffet include the General Tso’s chicken (not too sweet, not too spicy) and the crab wontons. There’s also a regular menu if a buffet isn’t your thing.
The one thing I miss, however, is Ms. Susie. She ran the restaurant for decades, and was known for making conversation and making sure the kitchen kept the food fresh and full.
Ms. Susie retired during the pandemic, but the buffet is still the same: affordable, delicious and unique, and the restaurant staff is friendly and attentive. If you haven’t been to South China in a while, take this as your sign.
If you go to South China restaurant
Address: 548 Courthouse Road
Phone: 228-896-9832
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday to Saturday, closed Sunday
This story was originally published July 29, 2022 at 5:50 AM.
